There is something to be said for moving when you hear the voice of the Lord. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've ignored that small voice guiding me to go in a certain direction, or telling me to move away from certain situations, warning me to let some things go, encouraging me to pick some things up. When I take it upon myself to move in "my" time, I jack it up every single time. Not this week..................
I've been working toward making sure every single area of my life is submitted to Christ and in doing that I'm more alert to the voice of the Lord. As I've been preparing to put together ministry materials, study guides, etc. I remembered a powerful video I watched when I participated in an awesome women's ministry, Queen Esther Ministry at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland. The video was so powerful that I want the women that participate in Love in the 1st Degree to see it.
I thought about this tape for two weeks. Finally, I could hear that small voice saying "call First Baptist". That one phone call led to me reconnecting with a wonderful woman of God, Carolyn. Not only did I get the name of the video, but she had an extra copy that she's mailing to me. My friend has since written a book, "Marriage from A to Z", so I'll be sharing that with the ministry as well. My conversation with her led me to call a mentor friend to let her know how her womens ministry, Titus 2, is such an inspiration to me and has pushed me to move in the calling the Lord placed on my life, and I shared with her the wonderful conversation I had the day before with Carolyn. That conversation led to her offering me a copy of Carolyn's book and sharing with me that my former pastor was in town. Why is that important? My marriage was healed at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden and Senior Pastor John K. Jenkins counseled us, even when I didn't want counsel. He spoke a word declaration over my life 7 years ago in Maryland that I would minister to other women and bring them hope and encouragement for their marriages. I was so broken I thought he was trippin'. But look at God. Now I get to share my testimony with Pastor Jenkins, and I know he will be so glad to know that I followed the voice of the Lord and His call upon my life. Wow!!!! All of that from a simple phone call recommendation whispered in a small voice from the Lord. This truly gives life to "seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you."
To purchase "Marriage from A to Z" by Carolyn Tatem, go to www.amazon.com
For more information about Rev. Belynda Gentry's Titus 2 program, go to www.goyeministries.net
In all you do, do it in love
Tanya
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Love at Home
I'm so excited to have our first Love At Home session scheduled for October 19, 2010.
Please join me in prioritizing your life, investing in yourself, your family and your home. Love At Home helps us to rebuild our home values by learning new skills and sharpening old one. The goal of Love At Home is to make our homes A Sanctuary of Love and A Haven of Peace. Our time spent together will be fun, invigorating and uplifting. The Lord's perfect design is for older, mature women to pass on what they have learned. Titus 2:3-5 gives us a Biblical mandate that older women are given the responsibility to train and encourage younger women so that the Word of God will not be dishonored. We will have an awesome time of fun and fellowship as we all learn and operate in God's perfect will.
Love At Home sessions are limited to seven women. You must be able to commit to attending all seven sessions, which take place once every two weeks. This is an in-home ministry so you have the opportunity to see everything you learn in operation.
If you are interested in attending, please email 1stdegreelove@gmail.com to reserve your space.
Many blessings and I look forward to sharing and fellowshiping during Love at Home.
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
Please join me in prioritizing your life, investing in yourself, your family and your home. Love At Home helps us to rebuild our home values by learning new skills and sharpening old one. The goal of Love At Home is to make our homes A Sanctuary of Love and A Haven of Peace. Our time spent together will be fun, invigorating and uplifting. The Lord's perfect design is for older, mature women to pass on what they have learned. Titus 2:3-5 gives us a Biblical mandate that older women are given the responsibility to train and encourage younger women so that the Word of God will not be dishonored. We will have an awesome time of fun and fellowship as we all learn and operate in God's perfect will.
Love At Home sessions are limited to seven women. You must be able to commit to attending all seven sessions, which take place once every two weeks. This is an in-home ministry so you have the opportunity to see everything you learn in operation.
If you are interested in attending, please email 1stdegreelove@gmail.com to reserve your space.
Many blessings and I look forward to sharing and fellowshiping during Love at Home.
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Marriages on the road to Damascus
As a man thinks in his heart so is he. The state of marriage is in shambles. Unfortunately many Christians are believing the worlds lies about marriage, and sadly many Christian wives are not only believing the lies, but living them out in their homes. Operating out of order, showing no honor to their husbands, manipulating their husbands, undermining his authority in the home in the presence of their children, speaking poorly of your husband to your friends, putting him down, etc. But there is hope. Lets examine the transformation of Saul to Paul.
In Acts 8:1-3 Saul persecutes the church and consents to Stephen's death. He creates havoc everywhere he goes and enters the homes of men and women dragging them off to prison for worshipping the Lord Jesus.
When a marriage isn't grounded in Christ, the couple is open to believing the world's view of how a marriage should function. Many marriages are in crisis because they have been operating with a Saul spirit (without Christ). It's easy to breath threats of ending (killing) a marriage when you never had an encounter with the true Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus.
A marriage in crisis that is blinded by its own mess, operating outside of God's will, cannot begin to be healed until its exposed to the light of God. There are critical steps the Lord uses to bring us into right relationship with Him and therefore bring our marriages into right standing with Him.
YOU MUST HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST FOR CHANGE TO TAKE PLACE
(Acts 9:3-16)
On the road to Damascus Saul has a personal encounter with Jesus. Saul is blind after the encounter.
When you have a personal encounter with Christ, you are arrested with His truth about your situation. You may be frightened by what God shows you, remorseful, ashamed, but eventually thankful.
AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST LEADS TO CONVERSION (Acts 9:17-18)
The Lord speaks to a man named Ananias, telling him to minister to Saul. Ananias moves at the command of God and delivers a message from the Lord. When Ananias delivers the message, scales fall off Sauls eyes and his vision is restored. Conversion allows you to see yourself for who you are, God shows you "you" - closing your eyes to the shortcomings of others, allowing you time of reflection and prayer - calling out to God for your purpose in Him. God works in you best when He has your undivided attention.
CONVERSION LEADS TO COMMITMENT TO CHRIST (Acts 9:19-22)
Saul received Christ as his savior and spent time with seasoned followers of Christ, after which he began preaching the word or God. After conversion you need the guidance of others to bring you into the place where God can use you and bring complete healing. The Lord will bring people into your life that will lead you straight to His word. When you commit to Christ, the Lord will give you wisdom and direction. He will send support that will encourage you in your walk with Him. When you're in right relationship with Christ you see things with new eyes and a renewed mind.
A marriage that is outside of God's will is persecuted from the inside out. Nothing outside has to bring trouble because a marriage without God is disfunctional to start with. The enemy doesn't have to spend any time or energy destroying something that will eventually destroy itself.
People don't change people, only an encounter with Christ changes people. But people can influence people to seek Christ, putting themselves in a position for an encounter with the one who can change your whole situation, Christ Jesus.
Ladies, your marriage can be all God wants it to be if you'll become a willing participant in His plan, purpose and will for your marriage. The Lord can change your marriage just like He changed Saul to Paul. Stand on God's word for your marriage. Pray that the Lord bring you an encourager to support you in being the best wife you can be to your husband. Trust me God will do it. He did it for me and we know He's no respecter of persons. I praise God for what He's done in me as a wife and mother. It hasn't been easy and many times its been hurtful, but I love that I have a whole, solid, Christ-filled marriage, where the marriage bed is not defiled. We'll discuss that next time:) Until then,
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
In Acts 8:1-3 Saul persecutes the church and consents to Stephen's death. He creates havoc everywhere he goes and enters the homes of men and women dragging them off to prison for worshipping the Lord Jesus.
When a marriage isn't grounded in Christ, the couple is open to believing the world's view of how a marriage should function. Many marriages are in crisis because they have been operating with a Saul spirit (without Christ). It's easy to breath threats of ending (killing) a marriage when you never had an encounter with the true Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus.
A marriage in crisis that is blinded by its own mess, operating outside of God's will, cannot begin to be healed until its exposed to the light of God. There are critical steps the Lord uses to bring us into right relationship with Him and therefore bring our marriages into right standing with Him.
YOU MUST HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST FOR CHANGE TO TAKE PLACE
(Acts 9:3-16)
On the road to Damascus Saul has a personal encounter with Jesus. Saul is blind after the encounter.
When you have a personal encounter with Christ, you are arrested with His truth about your situation. You may be frightened by what God shows you, remorseful, ashamed, but eventually thankful.
AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST LEADS TO CONVERSION (Acts 9:17-18)
The Lord speaks to a man named Ananias, telling him to minister to Saul. Ananias moves at the command of God and delivers a message from the Lord. When Ananias delivers the message, scales fall off Sauls eyes and his vision is restored. Conversion allows you to see yourself for who you are, God shows you "you" - closing your eyes to the shortcomings of others, allowing you time of reflection and prayer - calling out to God for your purpose in Him. God works in you best when He has your undivided attention.
CONVERSION LEADS TO COMMITMENT TO CHRIST (Acts 9:19-22)
Saul received Christ as his savior and spent time with seasoned followers of Christ, after which he began preaching the word or God. After conversion you need the guidance of others to bring you into the place where God can use you and bring complete healing. The Lord will bring people into your life that will lead you straight to His word. When you commit to Christ, the Lord will give you wisdom and direction. He will send support that will encourage you in your walk with Him. When you're in right relationship with Christ you see things with new eyes and a renewed mind.
A marriage that is outside of God's will is persecuted from the inside out. Nothing outside has to bring trouble because a marriage without God is disfunctional to start with. The enemy doesn't have to spend any time or energy destroying something that will eventually destroy itself.
People don't change people, only an encounter with Christ changes people. But people can influence people to seek Christ, putting themselves in a position for an encounter with the one who can change your whole situation, Christ Jesus.
Ladies, your marriage can be all God wants it to be if you'll become a willing participant in His plan, purpose and will for your marriage. The Lord can change your marriage just like He changed Saul to Paul. Stand on God's word for your marriage. Pray that the Lord bring you an encourager to support you in being the best wife you can be to your husband. Trust me God will do it. He did it for me and we know He's no respecter of persons. I praise God for what He's done in me as a wife and mother. It hasn't been easy and many times its been hurtful, but I love that I have a whole, solid, Christ-filled marriage, where the marriage bed is not defiled. We'll discuss that next time:) Until then,
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Disappointment will come
If you're breathing you "will" at some point experience disappointment.
Some forms of disappointment we handle quite well, our favorite item sold out when marked 50% off; the kids mistakenly broke your Frankie Beverly CD; you go on vacation with your husband and mother nature decides to come (everytime); you didn't get the raise you wanted, etc. But some forms of disappointment are heartbreaking, especially when you're disappointed by someone you love and trust. How we handle the disappointment is where we run into trouble.
There was a time when I did everything possbile to avoid being disappointed, including avoiding any situation that would put me in a position of getting close to people emotionally. I hated rejection and always took it personally. It was so painful that I learned to just block folks out and keep everyone at a distance. When I got married I could no longer just "block folks out", my husband was important to me, lived with me and was mine. How was I to protect yourself from disappointment from my spouse? I built up walls, I never asked anything I didn't really want the answer to, that way I never had to experience disappointment if my husband didn't "live up" to my expectations. By the way, it never occurred to me that I could ever disappoint him......how arrogant! After many years of marriage I had to learn that the disappointments in life aren't nearly as important as the response to the disappointment.
If we can find it in ourselves to bring to our rememberance those things that we've done to not only disappoint others, but ourselves and ultimately the Lord, then it makes it a little easier to understand that we are all subject to disappointing others. Having a true understanding that we've been extended God's grace and mercy on every disappointing occassion is critical. When we operate in any way that isn't pleasing to the Lord its disappointing to Him. When we respond to disappointment with wrath, anger, revenge, backbiting, gossip, etc. its disappointing to Him. When we use our tongue as a double-edged sword against our neighbor, its disppointing to Him. When the same mouth that sings praises to God spits out curses, its disppointing to Him.
God's grace and mercy has time and time again protected us and kept us from the punishment we should have received. Can you imagine the blessing you could be if you would extend that same grace and mercy to someone who has disappointed you. Grace and mercy doesn't mean "dumb and dumber" clearly if someone has shown you they aren't trustworthy, or that they are prone to keep confusion going, then you must use wisdom in your dealings with then. But that doesn't mean you can't forgive the disppointment and move on.
When you operate in love you always understand that "people are people" and being such are subject to error. Only Jesus was and is perfect. Love covers a multitude of sins, that includes yours. Practice the art of forgiveness, let go of disappointments and set yourself free so that the Lord can fully minister to your spirit. You'd be surprised what the Lord can plant in you when you first remove the weeds.
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
Some forms of disappointment we handle quite well, our favorite item sold out when marked 50% off; the kids mistakenly broke your Frankie Beverly CD; you go on vacation with your husband and mother nature decides to come (everytime); you didn't get the raise you wanted, etc. But some forms of disappointment are heartbreaking, especially when you're disappointed by someone you love and trust. How we handle the disappointment is where we run into trouble.
There was a time when I did everything possbile to avoid being disappointed, including avoiding any situation that would put me in a position of getting close to people emotionally. I hated rejection and always took it personally. It was so painful that I learned to just block folks out and keep everyone at a distance. When I got married I could no longer just "block folks out", my husband was important to me, lived with me and was mine. How was I to protect yourself from disappointment from my spouse? I built up walls, I never asked anything I didn't really want the answer to, that way I never had to experience disappointment if my husband didn't "live up" to my expectations. By the way, it never occurred to me that I could ever disappoint him......how arrogant! After many years of marriage I had to learn that the disappointments in life aren't nearly as important as the response to the disappointment.
If we can find it in ourselves to bring to our rememberance those things that we've done to not only disappoint others, but ourselves and ultimately the Lord, then it makes it a little easier to understand that we are all subject to disappointing others. Having a true understanding that we've been extended God's grace and mercy on every disappointing occassion is critical. When we operate in any way that isn't pleasing to the Lord its disappointing to Him. When we respond to disappointment with wrath, anger, revenge, backbiting, gossip, etc. its disappointing to Him. When we use our tongue as a double-edged sword against our neighbor, its disppointing to Him. When the same mouth that sings praises to God spits out curses, its disppointing to Him.
God's grace and mercy has time and time again protected us and kept us from the punishment we should have received. Can you imagine the blessing you could be if you would extend that same grace and mercy to someone who has disappointed you. Grace and mercy doesn't mean "dumb and dumber" clearly if someone has shown you they aren't trustworthy, or that they are prone to keep confusion going, then you must use wisdom in your dealings with then. But that doesn't mean you can't forgive the disppointment and move on.
When you operate in love you always understand that "people are people" and being such are subject to error. Only Jesus was and is perfect. Love covers a multitude of sins, that includes yours. Practice the art of forgiveness, let go of disappointments and set yourself free so that the Lord can fully minister to your spirit. You'd be surprised what the Lord can plant in you when you first remove the weeds.
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Love At Home
I absolutely love meeting the needs of others. It's something I watched as I grew up, my family always had someone living with us, people always stopping by, having dinner. It was a normal part of my life. Now my husband and I bring that same spirit of love into our home where we enjoy entertaining and meeting the needs of others.
I'm so excited to announce that Love in the 1st Degree is launching a new ministry program, Love At Home. Love at Home is a seven session program for women that want to learn how to make their home a "Sanctuary of Love and a Haven of Peace". This program is limited to seven women per group and teaches women the lost art and ministry of hospitality as a tool for life changing blessings for your family, and in the lives of those that come into your home as guests. Love at Home is inspired by and patterned after "The Home Experience" by Devi Titus and we stand on the word of God, Titus 2:3-5 as our foundation.
This ministry will allow you to take all of the information you learn and teach other women the important art of using love as a tool for ministry in the home. This is an in-home program conducted in 3 1/2 hour sessions. If you are interested in participating in this life changing program, please contact Love In The 1st Degree at 1stdegreelove@gmail.com for more information and program dates.
What a blessing and a priviledge to be used of God and I'm so thankful for His call on my life, and my hunger to respond.
Our website will be up and running in Mid-October, so keep an eye out as Love In The 1st Degree grows.
With agape love,
Tanya
I'm so excited to announce that Love in the 1st Degree is launching a new ministry program, Love At Home. Love at Home is a seven session program for women that want to learn how to make their home a "Sanctuary of Love and a Haven of Peace". This program is limited to seven women per group and teaches women the lost art and ministry of hospitality as a tool for life changing blessings for your family, and in the lives of those that come into your home as guests. Love at Home is inspired by and patterned after "The Home Experience" by Devi Titus and we stand on the word of God, Titus 2:3-5 as our foundation.
This ministry will allow you to take all of the information you learn and teach other women the important art of using love as a tool for ministry in the home. This is an in-home program conducted in 3 1/2 hour sessions. If you are interested in participating in this life changing program, please contact Love In The 1st Degree at 1stdegreelove@gmail.com for more information and program dates.
What a blessing and a priviledge to be used of God and I'm so thankful for His call on my life, and my hunger to respond.
Our website will be up and running in Mid-October, so keep an eye out as Love In The 1st Degree grows.
With agape love,
Tanya
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Love is beautiful
When a woman operates her life in love, it shows in everything and everybody she touches. Her home has a feeling of comfort that welcomes all that are invited in. Her hospitality rivals a five star hotel. She ensures you are pampered by serving you with grace and warmth of heart. The focus is always on ensuring you feel welcome and at peace. You remember her tender loving kindness long after the visit is over. A woman that operates in love leaves a pleasant lasting impression. Her words are gentle, even in disagreement. She loves you even when you're unlovable. She knows when to speak and when to be silient. She treats her husband with selfless love and respect and he holds a place of honor in their home. She loves and nurtures her children (and yours).
The Lord sees her and knows her personally because she seeks Him and meets with Him often (she knows where her help comes from). We remember her love because she remembers His love.
What do people remember about you when they leave your presence? Are you beautiful?
With agape love,
Tanya
The Lord sees her and knows her personally because she seeks Him and meets with Him often (she knows where her help comes from). We remember her love because she remembers His love.
What do people remember about you when they leave your presence? Are you beautiful?
With agape love,
Tanya
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Welcome to 1st Degree Love
Stay tuned for more information about living and loving in the 1st Degree:) There's no greater reward than knowing that in all you do, you do it in love. This blog has been created to empower women to love in the first degree.
1st Degree Love will bring weekly information about using the power of love to enrich your life, empower your family, relationships, marriages and communities. Love means different things to different people, but we'll be exploring what the Word of God has to say about love and how it impacts our lives in every decision we make.
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
1st Degree Love will bring weekly information about using the power of love to enrich your life, empower your family, relationships, marriages and communities. Love means different things to different people, but we'll be exploring what the Word of God has to say about love and how it impacts our lives in every decision we make.
In all you do, do it in love,
Tanya
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